10 Lojing vegetable farming firms issued DOE notices over EIA breaches

In the Kelantan Highlands of Malaysia, Gua Musang Department of Environment (DOE) officials have issued notices to 10 vegetable farming companies for violating environmental regulations. This action stems from breaches of conditions outlined in their approved Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), specifically related to land clearance and planting procedures.

Deputy director Mohamad Zamzani Ibrahim of the Kelantan DOE revealed that these enforcement actions were carried out by officers from the Gua Musang branch both last year and from January to July of this year, following complaints from the public. Upon inspection, 10 of the vegetable farms in Lojing Highlands were found non-compliant with the stipulated EIA conditions.

One company was even taken to court for failing to adhere to the issued notice. Despite several other operators expanding their farming activities to include crops like tomatoes and long beans, they failed to comply with land clearance and planting requirements as per EIA guidelines. This neglect could potentially lead to soil erosion and other environmental issues, impacting nearby rivers.

In addition to the notices, the Gua Musang DOE also issued 10 written field directives to address minor offenses that could be rectified immediately. These directives are written instructions given on-site during inspections for less serious infractions. The state DOE's goal is to ensure project operators, particularly those engaged in agriculture, comply with EIA conditions and implement proper environmental management practices.

If operators fail to comply with a formal notice, which is typically handed out for more serious violations, an investigation paper will be opened for potential legal action. The Gua Musang DOE plans to continue monitoring activities in Lojing Highlands and take enforcement actions against operators found to have breached environmental regulations.